Keli'ikipi had sought the court hearing to resolve the matter in time for the National Football League draft Sunday, his lawyer said.

Circuit Judge Richard Pollack deferred accepting Keli'ikipi's no contest plea, which will lead to the dismissal of the charge if he abides by conditions similar to probation for five years and pays restitution of $10,125, the amount he received in a theft scam. The second-degree theft charge carries a prison term of up to five years.

Pollack overruled objections by city Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter who opposed the granting of the request.

Keli'ikipi, who played at UH the past two seasons, was one of eight people accused of being part of the scheme that defrauded Kaiser Medical Center of about $160,000. The scam involved a credit card machine at Kaiser Moanalua Hospital that was used to deduct money from the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan account and credit other accounts, according to prosecutors.

Keli'ikipi's account was credited with $10,125, which he withdrew in April 2002, according to the prosecution.

Under a plea agreement, Keli'ikipi had to cooperate with law enforcement and agree to testify against any co-defendant who goes to trial, Van Marter said.

But Van Marter said he objected to the deferral in view of the fraudulent nature of the scheme and the amount Keli'ikipi received.

Richard N. Wurdeman, Keli'ikipi's lawyer, said his client apologized to the court and to his family and friends who stood by him. "He's very thankful this matter is done and it's behind him now and he can move on to new things," Wurdeman said.

He said his client was involved in the scheme prior to enrolling at the University of Hawai'i. "He had taken steps to enroll and make a change in his life," Wurdeman said.

Keli'ikipi was suspended from the football team in May 2004 after he was charged with theft, but reinstated in July that year.

Wurdeman said they have received several calls from scouts from NFL teams and at least one team asked about the criminal case. "That's why he needed to move it forward and get it resolved," Wurdeman said.

Keli'ikipi is both "very anxious and very hopeful" about his prospects in the draft, but plans to go the beach and relax. "He said he intends to keep his cell phone on," Wurdeman said.